Post by jennifer on Mar 15, 2007 9:31:36 GMT -5

Hi there!Well, here i go!First off, keep your comments simple, I don't know much about the new camera technology hehehe

My camera broke and I could get it easily fixed, but it seems with the prices of cameras these days I should just buy a new better one. Because I just got a new job, I figured i'd congratulate myself

Now here's what I absolutely want :

A camera with batteries, don't want to be stuck away from the pod and not be able to take pictures anymore

SD memory cards, as I already have tons

something that works fast between shots, mine is too slow it drives me nuts and it sucks batteries like crazy

As for the rest, I am not that difficult, I would like to have something decent, but not over 400 $. I mean, I love taking pictures, but I don't want to go insane either considering my budget. My old one is a minolta I paid 200$ and it worked great for years!

Thanks for your ideas and advice on new things to look out for or models I should check out

Jen

The world is a mystery and you must get to the bottom of it! The way to do so is to travel it!

Post by pointofnoreturn on Mar 15, 2007 13:48:29 GMT -5

I'm quite fond of Kodak's EasyShare digital camera. I currently have a Z650 and it has a 10x optimal zoom although it does not have an image stabilization option. I know that the newer Z camera does have 12x optical zoom AND image stabilization. The Z650 is 6.1 MP and the newer one Z712 IS (the 12x camera and IS). It also has SD cards as well. You can get it easily for less than 300 bucks for both at the Future Shop. Check out costco too - they're cheaper there.

It has a lot of nifty features and DOES come with a battery (a lithium one, which lasts for a long time) as well as a charger set that doubles as a photo upload center.

They're both getting relatively cheaper and I find them really good cameras.

Here are some pictures from my Florida trip that I took with my Z650 (with full zoom power):

Post by herrbert on Mar 15, 2007 19:58:44 GMT -5

I think that Jennifer is talking about normal AA batteries (penlite), at least my camera is working on those batteries. Those are fine, because you can get them everywhere. But don't be too cheap on the brand. I know a lot of people, that will tell you a battery is a battery, and they are all the same, but I found out, that in cold weather that is not the case. (I use duracell, but when my camera says they are empty, I keep them, and use them for a bit in other devices, like remote controls)

I use a Konica/Minolta Dimage Z2 (i think at this moment they are producing the Z5). I wanted to have a good camera for an amateur on photography. Don't ask me for too many details. When I bought my camera (some years ago) it was one of the cameras that was tested as one of the best. It has 4.0 megapixels, with 10x zoom. At least enough to make enlargements of pictures.

Disadvantages of my camera: it's quite a heavy/big camera. (sometimes I wish for a small compact one), and it is quite slow on reaction, but that was a problem with digital photography in general when I bought the camera. I don't know if that has improved.

For pictures, you can look at the ones, you placed in the photo gallery, although I have to say, that some of those, are scans from older vacations, when I used a cheapo analog camera.

Post by pointofnoreturn on Mar 15, 2007 21:15:30 GMT -5

Lithium batteries (CRV3) are starting to gain momentum and they're kind of like 2 AA batteries into one but molded appropriately. They can keep a camera charged for months and it saves you money (and time) from changing the batteries constantly. There are rechargeable versions as well (my camera has a rechargeable version).

Just throwing that out there

P.S. Herrbert, I feel your pain regarding camera size and weight. The Z650 is a little bit more bulkier than you expect but it's actually pretty small. It's just.... thick? It's because the camera is built to accept lens (telephoto and wide lens) so no wonder it's more bulkier than one of these snazzy thin cameras are flying off the shelf now!

Post by jennifer on Mar 16, 2007 18:37:55 GMT -5

OK here i go with more detail

Eagle

> "A camera with batteries" - Yes i was referring to AA batteries. I love the fact that lithium batteries stay charged longer; but what happens if you take 200 pictures that day and the battery runs out, arent they too expensive to have a spare one? I have energizer rechargeable aa betteries and i have like 20 that i charge often; this way i never run out. I think my current camera is a battery eater though, i really want to find one that is easier... any ideas people?

> What megapixel range? Right now i have 2 and my pictures print out nice in 8x10, so its not something i am really worried about...

> What zoom range? Right now I have a standard zoom, i would like to be able to take nice close pictures, but i want my cam to be just as point and shoot as adjustable with certain features. Dont wanna pay for a professional camera, just no need for it

> Is there any flexibility in your budget (you will probably need a new case and a few spare batteries)? Well as for case and batteries i should be ok, as long as i get SD cards, and for batteries i have some that should work unless i get a lithium camera. so no worries about that

> Any brand preferences (Canon, Nikon, etc.)? No; none at all; just best quality for my money that is compatible with my sd cards!

as for PONR, doesnt kodak have their own type of memory card?

Im not familiar with image stabilization... anyone can tell me if it makes a big diff?

Nice pics by the way

Herrbert; yeah your pics are nice, they made me want to leave again heheMy current camera is a minolta dimage but i dont know if its z something.

yeah, but cameras arent great, but if they have good features and a zoom, its sometimes worth it

MY PRIORITY : quick on reaction and not a battery eater, i dont want to charge every night like i did in europe

PONR; im hearing more and more about lithium batteries, maybe you can answer some of my previous questions about that

xoxoTHANKSJen

The world is a mystery and you must get to the bottom of it! The way to do so is to travel it!

Post by pointofnoreturn on Mar 16, 2007 21:39:43 GMT -5

To jennifer:

1. Kodak does have their own SD card line but my Kodak Z650 (which is a point and shoot) does accept other memory cards other than Kodak.

2. My camera actually lasts quite a bit befor having to recharge it. I used to have a Sony digicam and even low to moderate usage required me to recharge it every couple of days. This one doesn't. When you're not using your camera, you can just leave it on the charger itself for as long as you want.

3. Lithium CRV3 batteries last MUCH LONGER than AA batteries. If you buy a camera from Kodak as well as a charging dock, it comes with a Lithium CRV3 battery, AV cord, USB cord (2), Lens adapter, charging dock, etc. You also have the option to buy a printing dock but I didn't buy one of these.

4. I would pick cameras that are over 6 MP and have over 10x optimal zoom. They work very well in my opinion.

5. The only downside to my camera is that it's more bulkier than other cameras but I wouldn't give it up for the world.

6. Image stabilization is a new feature appearing in more digicams. They came up with it a year or so ago and now brands are starting to implement them. You know how when you hold the camera, sometimes it's shaky and can cause blurring in your photos. The use of an IS feature reduces that and makes your pictures come out sharp no matter how much you shake your camera (that is, if you don't do it on purpose LOL).

I'm pretty sure the Future Shop has a sample one out in their Camera section. You can check it out there as well as other Kodak cameras that are being sold.

Post by Eagle on Mar 17, 2007 14:25:48 GMT -5

jennifer, thanks for the additional info. Some points to consider:

> Batteries - IMO the type of batteries used in a particular Camera is not the most important factor to consider. It's probably more prudent to find the best Camera for your needs, and simply adjust to whatever type of batteries it uses. I appreciate that you have lots of rechargeables on hand that you "charge often", but keep in mind that all rechargeable batteries have a finite life, and once they've reached their maximum in terms of charge / discharge cycles, they will have to be replaced.

High capacity (2300 maH+) Ni-MH (AA) batteries are certainly one option, but don't rule out using Li-Ion batteries - they have a great power-weight ratio, charge quickly and retain a charge better than NiMH.

P&S Cameras deplete batteries much more quickly than in dSLR Cameras in most cases, due to the fact that P&S Cameras utilize the LCD monitor for shooting and "live preview". Using the LCD for every shot will deplete the battery quicker. dSLR's only use the monitor for review, and there is only one SLR model (AFAIK) that provides for preview on the LCD.

I usually travel with a total of three Li-Ion Batteries for my dSLR and two Li-Ion Batteries for my P&S Camera (they are basically the same type of Battery, so are interchangeable between the two Cameras). I usually top-up the charge on these at nights if power is available, so I've always got a couple of fully charged batteries on hand during the day.

> Megapixel range - at the moment, you'll probably find it difficult to find anything with less than 5-6 MP. These will provide lots of resolution, even for enlargements, however of course more MP is always better in this regard.

> Zoom range - this is an important feature IMO, and is one of the main reasons I decided to switch to a dSLR. The 3x zoom range on most P&S Cameras just doesn't work for me. Some P&S models have 4-5x zoom (usually with some amount of digital zoom), so you'll have to decide what range is important to you.

The other factor that is important to me is wide angle capability, another item that is often limited on the standard P&S Cameras. I found that I used the wide angle Lens far more than I had anticipated on my last trip. Again, your choice.

> Budget flexibility - my approach in this regard is to decide what Camera best fits my criteria, and then figure out how I can afford it. If I have to wait to get the money together, at least I get the Camera I wanted. I suppose everyone approaches this a bit differently?

> Brand preferences - as you don't favour a particular brand, your selection will probably take a bit longer as you'll have to assess a greater number of Cameras. I tend to prefer Cameras from manufacturers that have been in the Camera business the longest, as they have more experience with these (as opposed to electronic equipment manufacturers who only make Cameras as a sideline). Again, find the best Camera for your needs, regardless of which brand it is.

From what I've seen, many of new Cameras being introduced lately have been designed to use SD Cards, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one that uses those.

Regarding the memory cards used by Kodak, if these are an SD Card then it doesn't matter whether the card is branded as Kodak, SanDisk, Lexar or whatever -- an SD card is the same regardless.

Sony is the only Camera that uses an "odd" memory card format, as they use those goofy Memory Sticks. Leave it to Sony to be different (they obviously haven't learned anything from their experience with Beta!). They may be subjected to a "deja vu" experience with Blu-Ray in the near future - we'll see???

> Image stabilization - this is a feature that is appearing on an increasing number of newer Cameras. This is accomplished in a number of ways.

In the Canon dSLR's, the image stabilization is built into the Lens, rather than being fitted inside the Camera as it is with some of the other brands. The Lens has a small (but very intricate) gyro mechanism inside that "steadies" the lens elements if there is a bit of movement. This provides some limited compensation for movement. Other dSLR's have this built into the Camera, rather than the Lens.

Some of the new P&S models from Canon have this feature built into the Camera as well, but since these don't have interchangeable Lenses, this makes sense. This feature is quite useful for shooting in low light situations without flash, at slow shutter speeds.

One other important (IMHO) feature to look for is the ISO range of the Camera (what would have been called the "film speed" in the old days). Some of the newer models provide ISO 1600 or 3200 (or higher) capability. However, one caveat to keep in mind - with some Cameras, as the ISO range increases the noise increases in the image. It's a good idea to check the reviews to see how the different models fare in this regard.

Now that we've covered all that (whew!), some suggestions.

You might find it worthwhile to visit some of the local Camera stores in your area, once you've decided on a basic list of features. Have a look at the various models, to see what appeals to you. Take any recommendations from the sales people "with a grain of salt", as they sometimes tend to push one brand over another simply because they get a better commission on them. In addition, not ALL sales people are that well educated with respect to the products they're selling - they know the "party line" from their training manuals, but beyond that the knowledge is a bit lacking.

Regarding the review sites, you'll note that ALL models have pros & cons. Sorting these out is the most challenging part of the selection. I usually look for the coveted "Highly Recommended" rating at dpreview.

I tend to separate digital Cameras into three general categories:

- Point & Shoot: this is undoubtedly the majority of digi-Cams on market these days. The store shelves are full of this type of Camera! They're compact and light and most will easily fit into a pocket. Many of these use SD Cards, so that fits one of the criteria on your list (there aren't too many of these that use CF cards any more, but some use the micro-SD, XD or whatever). However, they also have some drawbacks in terms of limited zoom and wide angle range, and ISO range.

- "Monster Zoom": these seem to be increasing in popularity somewhat, as they provide up to 12x optical zoom along with image stabilization in most cases. The Image Stabilization is important as when the lens is extended to it's maximum zoom range, any amount of movement is amplified so without this photos would be blurred. One example of this type of Camera is the S3-IS that PONR mentioned (this Camera is also capable of shooting some video with stereo sound, from what I recall?). That particular model is getting a bit "dated", however it hasn't been replaced yet by a newer model so you might want to have a look at one (Panasonic has some MZ models as well). I believe the S3 uses SD cards, but I'd have to confirm that. The disadvantage of these types of Cameras for most people is the size - they're not exactly "pocket" models!

- Digital Single Lens Reflex (dSLR): these are the ultimate for flexibility and photo quality, but they're also the most complicated and most expensive. Purchase of a dSLR is only the beginning of the process, as in order to use the Camera as it was intended, extra Lenses are required and a whole range of other kit from Flash units to Filters. Most of these have an "auto" mode on the dial, so these can be used as an elaborate and expensive P&S Camera. HOWEVER, in order to get the best image quality and best results from a dSLR, it's almost essential to use other shooting modes and have some knowledge of aperture & shutter speed settings, white balance, etc. To say that there's a bit of a "learning curve" would be an understatement!

I'm probably correct in assuming that you're not the least interested in a dSLR, however I wanted to include that as it completes my list of the three general Camera types.

Once you've narrowed down your selection, check www.dpreview.com or www.steves-digicams.com (or other sites) to get the professionals opinion of a particular model. This should help to narrow down the selection even further.

PONR,

and have over 10x of optimal zoom.

I'm assuming you mean 10x of optical zoom?

Hope this helps you with your Camera selection. Let us know what you decide.

Post by pointofnoreturn on Mar 17, 2007 15:47:30 GMT -5

Yes, optical. Sorry

I agree with everything Eagle said. Definitely do your research with cameras. I won't look at a camera unless it's over 6 MP and 10x zoom. I'm an avid photographer and currently saving up money to buy a SLR I've been eyeing for!

Post by herrbert on Mar 18, 2007 10:42:28 GMT -5

Maybe it is a little bit of a blunt question, but if your broken camera is a Dimage Z1 or Z2, could you check if if has a lenscap, with the type no. LF-242 (if it is, the no. is on the inside). Mine is broken (the spring fell out in Spain), and I tried a lot of shops, but I can't get a new one, it seems that they are not produced anymore. If it is I would like to buy the lenscap.

If anyone else (the photo-pro's like Eagle and PONR) have any suggestions on where I could obtain this lenscap, I would be very grateful. At the moment I just try to be careful, and hold the cap in place with some elastic bands, but that often doesn't work ... i tried replacing the string, but it seems impossible.

Post by jennifer on Mar 19, 2007 8:01:22 GMT -5

HeyI'll reply about the rest tonight cause i'm at work.BUt about the lenscap.We are talking about the little black round thing that protects the lens and hangs with a string? lol (i'm not good with technical camera words, I wanna learn though lol)Well, if so, i don't have that camera. Mine is a shutter type. That is what is broken and stuckkkkkkk open!

The world is a mystery and you must get to the bottom of it! The way to do so is to travel it!

Post by Eagle on Mar 21, 2007 16:00:55 GMT -5

jennifer, having a dSLR certainly provides a lot more flexibility but some important points to consider are (a) the higher cost (which of course has to include the extra Lenses and kit that will be required), (b) the fact these are a bit more cumbersome to travel with and (c) there's a bit more of a "learning curve" to deal with.

I've found the solution that works best for me is to use a dSLR for shooting during the day, and pack a small P&S to take out at night (much easier to have in a pocket if I'm going out for dinner or whatever).

The so-called "monster zoom" Cameras are also somewhat larger and more difficult to pack around.